Calcium-Binding Protein Protocols

Calcium-Binding Protein Protocols

Author: Hans J. Vogel

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-02-05

Total Pages: 415

ISBN-13: 1592591841

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Calcium plays an important role in a wide variety of biological processes. This divalent metal ion can bind to a large number of proteins; by doing so it modifies their biological activity or their stability. Because of its distinct che- cal properties calcium is uniquely suited to act as an on–off switch or as a light dimmer of biological activities. The two books entitled Calcium-Binding Protein Protocols (Volumes I and II) focus on modern experimental analyses and methodologies for the study of calcium-binding proteins. Both extracel- lar and intracellular calcium-binding proteins are discussed in detail. H- ever, proteins involved in calcium handling (e. g. , calcium pumps and calcium channels), fall outside of the scope of these two volumes. Also, calcium-bi- ing proteins involved in bone deposition will not be discussed, as this specific topic has been addressed previously. The focus of these two books is on studies of the calcium-binding proteins and their behavior in vitro and in vivo. The primary emphasis is on protein chemistry and biophysical methods. Many of the methods described will also be applicable to proteins that do not bind calcium. Calcium-Binding Protein Protocols is divided into three main sections. The section entitled Introduction and Reviews provides information on the role of calcium in intracellular secondary messenger activation mechanisms. Mo- over, unique aspects of calcium chemistry and the utilization of calcium in dairy proteins, as well as calcium-binding proteins involved in blood clotting, are addressed.


Calcium-Binding Proteins of the EF-Hand Superfamily

Calcium-Binding Proteins of the EF-Hand Superfamily

Author: Claus W. Heizmann

Publisher: Humana Press

Published: 2019-02-02

Total Pages: 779

ISBN-13: 9781493990290

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This detailed volume explores protocols for studying the many facets of Ca2+-imaging, Ca2+-signaling, and Ca2+-binding along with background information on the principles and application of these techniques. The content of the book delves into 48 chapters including subjects such as data analysis and modern technologies to study calcium-binding and signaling in cells, the superfamily of calcium-binding proteins characterized by the EF-hand structural motif, as well as their use as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in Laboratory Medicine and novel therapeutic drug targets. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and comprehensive, Calcium-Binding Proteins of the EF-Hand Superfamily: From Basics to Medical Applications presents state-of-the-art, lab-based methods and easy-to-follow protocols for daily use, making it interesting for basic and medical researchers, cell- and molecular biologists, clinicians, clinical chemists, and the diagnostic industry.


Calcium-Binding Protein Protocols

Calcium-Binding Protein Protocols

Author: Hans J. Vogel

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-02-04

Total Pages: 346

ISBN-13: 1592591833

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Calcium plays an important role in a wide variety of biological processes. This divalent metal ion can bind to a large number of proteins; by doing so it modifies their biological activity or their stability. Because of its distinct che- cal properties calcium is uniquely suited to act as an on–off switch or as a light dimmer of biological activities. The two books entitled Calcium-Binding Protein Protocols (Volumes I and II) focus on modern experimental analyses and methodologies for the study of calcium-binding proteins. Both extracel- lar and intracellular calcium-binding proteins are discussed in detail. H- ever, proteins involved in calcium handling (e. g. , calcium pumps and calcium channels), fall outside of the scope of these two volumes. Also, calcium-bi- ing proteins involved in bone deposition will not be discussed, as this specific topic has been addressed previously. The focus of these two books is on studies of the calcium-binding proteins and their behavior in vitro and in vivo. The primary emphasis is on protein chemistry and biophysical methods. Many of the methods described will also be applicable to proteins that do not bind calcium. Calcium-Binding Protein Protocols is divided into three main sections. The section entitled Introduction and Reviews provides information on the role of calcium in intracellular secondary messenger activation mechanisms. Mo- over, unique aspects of calcium chemistry and the utilization of calcium in dairy proteins, as well as calcium-binding proteins involved in blood clotting, are addressed.


Immunotoxin Methods and Protocols

Immunotoxin Methods and Protocols

Author: Walter A. Hall

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-02-02

Total Pages: 305

ISBN-13: 1592591140

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Immunotoxins represent a new class of human therapeutics that have widespread applications and a potential that has not yet been fully recognized since they were first conceived of by Paul Ehrlich in 1906. The majority of advances in the development and implementation of immunotoxins has occurred over the last 20 years. The reasons for this use of immunotoxins in basic science and clinical research are the powerful concurrent advances in genetic engineering and receptor physiology. Recombinant technology has allowed investigators to produce sufficient quantities of a homogeneous c- pound that allows clinical trials to be performed. The identification of specific receptors on malignant cell types has enabled scientists to generate immunotoxins that have had positive results in clinical trials. As more cellular targets are identified in coming years, additional trials will be conducted in different disease states affecting still larger patient populations. Modulation of the immune system to decrease the humoral response to immunotoxins may improve their overall efficacy. As increasingly more effective compounds are generated, it will be necessary to decrease the local and systemic toxicity - sociated with these agents, and methods for doing so are presently being - veloped. The work presented in Immunotoxin Methods and Protocols focuses on three specific areas of immunotoxin investigation that are being conducted by experts throughout the world. The first section describes the construction and development of a variety of immunotoxins.


Connexin Methods and Protocols

Connexin Methods and Protocols

Author: Roberto Bruzzone

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-02-05

Total Pages: 495

ISBN-13: 1592590438

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Direct cell–cell communication is a common property of multicellular organisms that is achieved through membrane channels which are organized in gap junctions. The protein subunits of these intercellular channels, the connexins, form a multigene family that has been investigated in great detail in recent years. It has now become clear that, in different tissues, connexins speak several languages that control specific cellular functions. This progress has been made possible by the availability of new molecular tools and the improvement of basic techniques for the study of membrane channels, as well as by the use of genetic approaches to study protein function in vivo. More important, connexins have gained visibility because mutations in some connexin genes have been found to be linked to human genetic disorders. Connexin Methods and Protocols presents in detail a collection of te- niques currently used to study the cellular and molecular biology of connexins and their physiological properties. The field of gap junctions and connexin research has always been characterized by a multidisciplinary approach c- bining morphology, biochemistry, biophysics, and cellular and molecular biology. This book provides a series of cutting-edge protocols and includes a large spectrum of practical methods that are available to investigate the fu- tion of connexin channels. Connexin Methods and Protocols is divided into three main parts.


Amino Acid Analysis Protocols

Amino Acid Analysis Protocols

Author: Catherine Cooper

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-02-05

Total Pages: 268

ISBN-13: 1592590470

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A collection of classic and cutting-edge techniques of high utility in answering specific biological questions about amino acids. Common methods include those based on HPLC or gas chromatography separation and analysis after precolumn derivatization. New techniques based on capillary electrophoresis separation, high-performance anion exchange chromatography, and mass spectrometry are also presented. Each method is described in step-by-step detail to ensure successful experimental results and emphasizes sample preparation, particularly the collection and storage of bodily fluids. Up-to-date and highly practical, Amino Acid Analysis Protocols offers analytical and clinical chemists, as well as a broad range of biological and biomedical investigators, a rich compendium of laboratory tools for the productive analysis of both common and uncommon amino acids.


Genomics Protocols

Genomics Protocols

Author: Michael P. Starkey

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-02-03

Total Pages: 537

ISBN-13: 159259235X

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We must unashamedly admit that a large part of the motivation for editing Genomics Protocols was selfish. The possibility of assembling in a single volume a unique and comprehensive collection of complete protocols, relevant to our work and the work of our colleagues, was too good an opportunity to miss. We are pleased to report, however, that the outcome is something of use not only to those who are experienced practitioners in the genomics field, but is also valuable to the larger community of researchers who have recognized the potential of genomics research and may themselves be beginning to explore the technologies involved. Some of the techniques described in Genomics Protocols are clearly not restricted to the genomics field; indeed, a prerequisite for many procedures in this discipline is that they require an extremely high throughput, beyond the scope of the average investigator. However, what we have endeavored here to achieve is both to compile a collection of procedures concerned with geno- scale investigations and to incorporate the key components of “bottom-up” and “top-down” approaches to gene finding. The technologies described extend from those traditionally recognized as coming under the genomics umbrella, touch on proteomics (the study of the expressed protein complement of the genome), through to early therapeutic approaches utilizing the potential of genome programs via gene therapy (Chapters 27–30).


Transgenesis Techniques

Transgenesis Techniques

Author: Alan R. Clarke

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-02-05

Total Pages: 346

ISBN-13: 1592591787

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The past decade has witnessed a spectacular explosion in both the devel- ment and use of transgenic technologies. Not only have these been used to aid our fundamental understanding of biologic mechanisms, but they have also faci- tated the development of a range of disease models that are now truly beginning to impact upon our approach to human disease. Some of the most exciting model systems relate to neurodegenerative disease and cancer, where the availability of appropriate models is at last allowing radically new therapies to be developed and tested. This latter point is of particular significance given the current concerns of the wider public over both the use of animal models and the merits of using genetically modified organisms. Arguably, advances of the greatest significance have been made using mammalian systems—driven by the advent of embryonic stem-cell–based strategies and, more recently, by cloning through nuclear transfer. For this reason, this new edition of Transgenesis Techniques focuses much more heavily on manipulation of the mammalian genome, both in the general discussions and in the provision of specific protocols.


Protein Sequencing Protocols

Protein Sequencing Protocols

Author: Bryan John Smith

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-02-02

Total Pages: 489

ISBN-13: 1592593429

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Determination of the protein sequence is as important today as it was a half century ago, even though the techniques and purposes have changed over time. Mass spectrometry has continued its recent rapid development to find notable application in the characterization of small amounts of protein, for example, in the field of proteomics. The “traditional” chemical N-terminal sequencing is still of great value in quality assurance of the increasing number of biopharmaceuticals that are to be found in the clinic, checking processing events of recombinant proteins, and so on. It is joined in the armory of me- ods of protein analysis by such techniques as C-terminal sequencing and amino acid analysis. These methods are continually developing. The first edition of Protein Sequencing Protocols was a “snapshot” of methods in use in protein biochemistry laboratories at the time, and this, the second edition, is likewise. Methods have evolved in the intervening period, and the content of this book has similarly changed, the content of some chapters having been superceded and replaced by other approaches. Thus, in this edition, there is inclusion of approaches to validation of methods for quality assurance work, reflecting the current importance of biopharmaceuticals, and also a guide to further analysis of protein sequence information, acknowledging the importance of bioinformatics.


DNA Methylation Protocols

DNA Methylation Protocols

Author: Ken I. Mills

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-02-05

Total Pages: 191

ISBN-13: 1592591825

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DNA Methylation Protocols offer a set of readily reproducible protocols of the analysis of DNA methylation and methylases. These powerful methods provide the tools necessary for studying methylation at both the global level and the level of sequence, and include many techniques for identifying genes that might be aberrantly methylated in cancer and aging. Additional methods cover genome-wide analysis of abnormal DNA methylation and the isolation and measurement of demethylases and related proteins.